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POLICY

Conflict of Interest Policy

Purpose of this Policy

New York University, including its Schools and other units, Global Network University sites, and all University Affiliates (together, “NYU”), is committed to operating in an ethical manner and in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Even the appearance of a conflict can be damaging to the reputation of NYU. All decisions by Trustees, Officers, and Senior Administrators must be made solely in the best interests of NYU.

NYU recognizes that situations may on occasion arise where a Covered Person’s private interests conflict with or appear to conflict with his or her obligations to NYU or the interests of NYU. This policy identifies and clarifies the standards and responsibilities related to Conflicts of Interest.

Scope of this Policy

This policy applies to the Trustees, Officers, and Senior Administrators of New York University (the “University”) and of University Affiliates (together, “Covered Persons”). The University’s Audit and Compliance Committee may exempt a University Affiliate from compliance with this policy as set forth in the “University Affiliates” section of this policy.

Procedures for Implementation

Covered Persons must act solely to promote the best interests of NYU. Covered Persons should seek to avoid Conflicts of Interest. A “Conflict of Interest” is any circumstance in which the personal, professional, financial, or other interests of a Covered Person may potentially or actually diverge from, or may be reasonably perceived as potentially or actually diverging from, his or her obligations to NYU and the interests of NYU. It includes indirect conflicts, such as benefits provided to a Relative of a Covered Person. Where a Conflict of Interest has been identified, a Covered Person must disclose the Conflict of Interest and, where relevant, cooperate with any plan adopted by NYU to manage, reduce, or eliminate the Conflict of Interest.

The following is not a comprehensive list of the types of Conflicts of Interest that may arise but provides examples of some common types:

(1) Business Arrangements. (a) Related Party Transactions; or (b) participating, directly or indirectly, in the selection, approval, facilitation, or administration of any business arrangement involving NYU and an enterprise in which the Covered Person and/or Relatives hold, directly or indirectly, more than a de minimis ownership or other financial interest or have an employment, management, or fiduciary role (such as serving as an officer or director). A de minimis interest for purposes of (b) is (i) an interest in diversified investment vehicles, such as broad-based mutual funds and exchange traded funds, where the Covered Person and his or her Relatives, collectively, do not have a 15 percent or greater direct or indirect interest in the vehicle or an employment, management, or fiduciary role in the vehicle; and (ii) an interest of up to five percent ownership in any class of a company’s securities or other indicia of ownership provided that such ownership interest would not be reasonably expected to influence or give the appearance of influencing the actions of the Covered Person. For example, where a Covered Person has a less than five percent ownership interest in a start-up company that is seeking to license intellectual property rights from NYU that are critical to the company, such ownership might influence or give the appearance of influencing the actions of the Covered Person.

(2) Competing with NYU. Engaging, directly or indirectly, in activities that are in competition with NYU or appropriating or diverting business opportunities of NYU. This includes (a) holding, directly or indirectly, an ownership or other financial interest (other than a de minimis interest as described in (1(b) above) or having an employment, management, or fiduciary role (such as serving as an officer or director) in an enterprise that is a competitor of NYU, or seeking to advance the interests of such enterprise to the NYU community; and (b) appropriating or diverting a business or financial opportunity that a Covered Person knows or should know NYU is pursuing or is considering pursuing or reasonably might be interested in pursuing if it were aware of the opportunity.

(3) Gifts. (a) Accepting any gift or favor, even of nominal value, that is illegal under applicable law or prohibited under other applicable NYU policies; or (b) accepting a gift or favor of more than nominal value (including entertainment) or a loan (other than an arm’s length loan made in the ordinary course of business from a banking or other financial institution), even where not illegal under applicable law or prohibited under other applicable NYU policies, from any person or entity seeking a benefit from NYU (e.g., seeking to do business or continuing to do business with NYU, seeking to have a student admitted to NYU) if the offer or acceptance of the gift, favor, or loan could reasonably be viewed as intended to influence NYU to act favorably toward the person or entity. Where it is impracticable for a Covered Person (or Relative) to decline a gift that would otherwise constitute a Conflict of Interest under this policy, and where it is neither illegal nor unethical for NYU itself to accept the gift, the Covered Person may accept the gift on behalf of NYU and transfer it to NYU. In such case, the Covered Person should contact the Senior Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations to discuss the transfer of the gift to NYU or, if applicable, the University Affiliate’s chief development officer. NYU Senior Administrators may not accept gifts of more than nominal value or loans from any person or entity seeking a benefit from NYU, even without the appearance of any intent to influence, without the consent of their supervisors.

(4) Improper Use of NYU Resources. Unauthorized use of NYU resources, including the services of University employees, for personal purposes. For example, a Covered Person may make deminimis use of NYU computers and telephone devices for personal purposes provided, however, that he or she reimburses NYU if there are additional charges to NYU from such use (e.g., a charge for an international phone call). On the other hand, a Covered Person may not use NYU students or staff to conduct personal business.

(5) Confidential Information. Obtaining, using, or disclosing NYU Confidential Information for direct or indirect personal interest, profit, or advantage; obtaining or using NYU Confidential Information for a purpose that may be detrimental to NYU; or disclosing NYU Confidential Information to a person or entity that is not authorized by NYU to receive it.

Disclosing Conflicts of Interest

Covered Persons have a duty to disclose on an ongoing basis any current, proposed, or pending situations that may constitute a Conflict of Interest, including but not limited to a proposed Related Party Transaction. Covered Persons should disclose the material facts relating to any Conflict of Interest as soon as the existence of a possible Conflict of Interest is known; and in all events, must disclose the material facts relating to any Related Party Transaction prior to entering into the transaction. There are, of course, occasional situations where a Covered Person is not aware of a Conflict of Interest on a timely basis. Where a Covered Person becomes aware that he or she has not disclosed a Conflict of Interest on a timely basis, the Covered Person has a continuing duty to disclose it as promptly as possible thereafter.

Disclosures should be made in full (including the precise nature of the Covered Person’s interest and/or involvement) to the General Counsel and Secretary of the University, who will advise the Audit and Compliance Committee, normally through its Chair or another member of the Audit and Compliance Committee designated by the Chair.

Each year, every Covered Person must complete, sign, and submit to the General Counsel and Secretary of the University the applicable annual disclosure form or forms then in effect. In addition, prior to the initial election of a Trustee, such individual must complete, sign, and submit to the General Counsel and Secretary of the University the applicable disclosure form or forms then in effect. The General Counsel and Secretary of the University will provide a copy of all completed disclosure forms to the Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee.
Process Relating to Conflicts of Interest

If the General Counsel and Secretary of the University (or a lawyer in the Office of General Counsel designated by the General Counsel and Secretary of the University) and Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee (or a member of the Audit and Compliance Committee designated by the Chair) determine that a Covered Person has a Conflict of Interest that may need to be managed, reduced, or eliminated, the Audit and Compliance Committee will determine the next steps with respect to the Conflict of Interest. The Audit and Compliance Committee may determine that the Conflict of Interest should be managed, reduced, or eliminated, or the Audit and Compliance Committee may proceed without a management plan. Any management plan will depend upon the facts and circumstances of the specific matter. The existence and resolution of the Conflict of Interest must be documented in the records of the meeting at which it was discussed or voted upon. The Office of Compliance and Risk Management, among other resources, is available upon request to conduct investigations with respect to matters relating to Conflicts of Interest.

Any Conflict of Interest that is a Related Party Transaction must comply with the following process: A Related Party Transaction not solely involving compensation and/or benefits paid to a Covered Person or Relative may only be entered into following approval by the Audit and Compliance Committee after the Audit and Compliance Committee has made a determination that the Related Party Transaction is fair, reasonable, and in NYU’s best interest at the time of such determination. In such cases where a Related Party has a substantial financial interest, the Audit and Compliance Committee must, prior to NYU’s entering into the transaction, (1) consider alternatives to the transaction to the extent available; (2) approve the transaction by not less than a majority vote of the Audit and Compliance Committee members present at the meeting; and (3) contemporaneously document in writing the basis for the Audit and Compliance Committee’s approval, including its consideration of alternative transactions. With respect to a Related Party Transaction solely involving compensation and/or benefits paid to a Covered Person or Relative, the Compensation Committee of the University normally will make the determination and undertake the process set forth above.

Depending on its nature, a matter giving rise to a Conflict of Interest, including a Related Party Transaction, may be subject to approval by the Board of Trustees and/or be subject to approval or recommendation by a committee of the Board of Trustees other than the Audit and Compliance or Compensation Committee. In such case, the Board of Trustees or applicable committee may make its approval or recommendation either before or after the Audit and Compliance Committee or the Compensation Committee, as the case may be, undertakes the process set forth above; if before, the Board of Trustees or applicable committee’s approval must be subject to the determination of the Audit and Compliance Committee or the Compensation Committee, as the case may be.

In no event may a Covered Person with a Conflict of Interest be present at or participate in the deliberation or vote by the Board of Trustees, or committee thereof, on the matter giving rise to the Conflict of Interest, such as the Covered Person’s compensation by the University, or attempt to influence improperly the deliberation or voting on the matter. A Covered Person may, where requested by the Board of Trustees or applicable committee, be present at the meeting prior to the commencement of deliberations or vote on the matter in order to present information or answer questions concerning the Conflict of Interest.

About This Policy

“Confidential Information” includes, but is not limited to: medical, personnel, security, academic, background check, conflict of interest, identifiable biometric records and other non-public information about individuals; business records; contracts and business terms; business and donor relationships; computer system passwords and security codes; proprietary and competitively sensitive information, including non-public information about anticipated material requirements, price actions, programs, and selection of contractors and subcontractors in advance of official announcements; unpublished grant proposals, non-public research data, manuscripts and correspondence; non-public financial, procurement, health-safety, audit, insurance and claims information; and non-public information relating to internal investigations, pre-litigation and litigation and administrative agency charges, audits and inquiries; and other information whose confidentiality is protected by law or NYU policies.

“Conflict of Interest” means any circumstance in which the personal, professional, financial, or other interests of a Covered Person may potentially or actually diverge from, or may be reasonably perceived as potentially or actually diverging from, his or her obligations to NYU and the interests of NYU. It includes indirect conflicts, such as benefits provided to a Relative of a Covered Person.

“Covered Person” means the Trustees, Officers, and Senior Administrators of the University and of each University Affiliate.

“Key Employees” are the persons in a position to exercise substantial influence over the affairs of the University or a University Affiliate, respectively, as described in the Intermediate Sanctions provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

“NYU” means the Schools and other units of NYU, NYU’s Global Network University sites, and all University Affiliates.

“Officer” means those persons described as officers in the governing documents of the University and of each University Affiliate, respectively.

“Related Party” means (a) a Trustee, Officer, or Key Employee of the University or a University Affiliate, (b) any Relative of any Trustee, Officer, or Key Employee of the University or a University Affiliate, (c) or any entity in which any individual described in (a) or (b) has a 35% or greater ownership or beneficial interest or, in the case of a partnership or professional corporation, a direct or indirect ownership interest in excess of five percent.

“Related Party Transaction” means any transaction, agreement, or other arrangement in which a Related Party has a financial interest and in which NYU, including any University Affiliate, is a participant, within the meaning of Sections 102 and 715 of the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.

“Senior Administrators” means, with respect to the University, the members of the University Leadership Team and any other Key Employees of the University, and with respect to each University Affiliate, the Key Employees of the University Affiliate.

“School” means each NYU school, college, and institute that functions similarly to a school or college (e.g., IFA, ISAW, Courant, and CUSP), each NYU portal campus (e.g., New York and Abu Dhabi), and may also include for purposes of this policy other global sites as designated by the Provost.

“Trustee” means a voting member of the governing body of the University and of each University Affiliate.“University Affiliates” consist of those entities controlled, directly or indirectly, by the University through (a) ownership of more than 50% of the ownership interests in the entity or (b) the power to appoint or elect a majority of the organization's governing body (e.g., directors or trustees).

“University Leadership Team,” or “ULT,” means those academic and administrative leaders who are designated as members of the University Leadership Team by the President.